Wasps continue winning run by edging out Bath in high-scoring clash
Wasps recorded a fifth successive victory in all competitions as they beat Bath 52-44 in an epic Gallagher Premiership encounter at the Recreation Ground.
Lee Blackett’s team followed up a demolition of champions Exeter last weekend by scoring seven tries during a pulsating contest that bristled with adventurous, attacking rugby.
Wing Paolo Odogwu and hooker Tom Cruse each claimed two touchdowns, while flanker Brad Shields and wing Josh Bassett also crossed, and there was a penalty try, while full-back Lima Sopoaga kicked 15 points.
Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland easily outscored Sopoaga, amassing 26 points that included an early try, with flanker Sam Underhill, centre Cameron Redpath and lock Elliott Stooke also breaching Wasps’ defence, and scrum-half Ben Spencer kicked a late penalty.
But despite twice leading by 13 points and holding a half-time advantage, Bath ultimately conceded a half-century of points at home in front of England head coach Eddie Jones.
Bath made one personnel change following a narrow defeat against Leicester last weekend, with Tom de Glanville returning at full-back, while England star Anthony Watson switched to wing duty instead of Semesa Rokoduguni.
Wasps restored Thomas Young to the back-row and Jack Willis started at number eight after a hip problem forced him off during the Exeter game.
Bath made a dream start, storming 10 points clear after just seven minutes with an onslaught that left Wasps reeling.
De Glanville was instrumental in the game’s first attack, breaking clear from deep before Bath number eight Zach Mercer’s pass found Priestland, and the Wales international surged clear to score from 50 metres out.
Priestland added the touchline conversion and then kicked a long-range penalty as Bath made their intentions clear in scintillating fashion.
Priestland quickly landed a second penalty. and although Wasps hit back through a penalty try after Bath collapsed a maul that saw their captain Charlie Ewels sin-binned, the home side soon conjured a second touchdown.
This time it was created and finished by their back-row, with Taulupe Faletau’s superbly-timed pass sending fellow flanker Underhill over, and Priestland’s conversion made it 20-7.
But just as Wasps fell 13 points behind for a second time, they again responded as Odogwu’s searing midfield break saw scrum-half Dan Robson act as decisive link, and Cruse finished off.
It ended a blistering opening quarter that produced 34 points, and there remained no let-up by Priestland, as two further penalties give him a 21-point haul in less than 30 minutes as Bath moved 26-14 in front.
A Sopoaga penalty cut Wasps’ deficit, but Priestland’s fifth successful penalty soon cancelled that out as half-time approached.
Wasps’ Wales lock Will Rowlands departed for a head injury assessment two minutes before the break, but there was still time for Wasps to claim a third try.
Their forwards drove ferociously at the heart of Bath’s defence, and Shields, on for Rowlands and making his first appearance following a seven-week injury absence, claimed a score that Sopoaga converted, ending a turbo-charged half that generated 53 points at 29-24 in Bath’s favour.
It took Wasps just four minutes of the second period to go ahead for the first time, and their bonus point try arrived through another high-class Cruse finish.
Sopoaga’s conversion put Wasps two points in front, yet their lead lasted less than two minutes as Bath regained pole position after a quality solo try by Redpath that Priestland converted.
But back came Wasps, and Odogwu served further notice of his defence-splitting skill when he powered over from 25 metres out, breaking Underhill’s challenge in the process, and another Sopoaga conversion made it 38-36 to the visitors.
Priestland went off for a head injury assessment, but not before Wasps had eased past 40 points through Odogwu’s second try in six minutes, and Bath were now chasing the game, with Wasps in no mood to let things slip once they had taken charge, despite a late yellow card for Willis.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments